How much should I say to whom?

During the past several decades, attitudes in North America have shifted with regards to disclosing information to patients about their own diagnosis. There is still debate, however, about the extent of the information that should be shared regarding treatment and prognosis. Families have their own set of needs in the face of coping with life-threatening illness and supporting the patient. Receiving clear honest information about the patient's condition, prognosis, and comfort are important to family caregivers. Resolving the issue of disclosing patient information to families demands that health care professionals engage in sensitive communication and achieve a delicate balance between the patient's right to confidentiality and meeting the family members' needs for information.